One vegetable Tim Spector has branded 'magical' and a 'real life saver'
by Steffan Rhys, Unzela Khan · ChronicleLiveWe're all aware that veggies are a health powerhouse, brimming with essential vitamins. However, one 'magical' food has been singled out by an academic for its extraordinary benefits.
Professor Tim Spector has revealed that mushrooms, a staple in fry-ups and a popular vegan and vegetarian substitute, have even more advantages than he initially believed.
During a discussion about mushrooms on ZOE's YouTube channel, the professor expressed his fascination with the thousands of species of this fungus.
The humble mushroom, often overlooked but a stalwart of winter stews, chicken pies and vegetarian dishes, is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
Supermarket produce sections are now overflowing with a variety of mushrooms, from the classic cup mushroom and vitamin D-rich chestnut mushrooms to hearty portobellos and aromatic shiitakes. According to the expert, not only are we realising their versatility as ingredients and savouring their umami flavour, but we're also gaining a deeper understanding of their health benefits, reports Surrey Live.
Get all the latest money news and budgeting tips from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter
Professor Spector remarked: "The fact that they're closer to animals than they are to plants as well so they're not actually members of the plant kingdom, that's crazy.He added that: ".
He further noted: "Mushrooms are potentially a real lifesaver for the planet if we can harness them right because they have an amazing amount of nutrients in them and are very very high in protein levels.
He highlighted that "if you leave them in the sun they actually, like humans, produce vitamin D."
This means mushrooms can be an excellent natural source of Vitamin D as opposed to supplements.
"Mushrooms are a great source of a range of nutrients and phytochemicals," said Jenna Hope, a registered nutritionist.
"They're often used to bulk out dishes as they contain fibre and protein but are low in fat and calories. They're also rich in a range of micronutrients including iron, phosphorus, B vitamins and vitamin C. Furthermore, their plant chemical benefits include helping reduce oxidative stress through their antioxidant activities."
"Mushrooms contain beta-glucans and phytosterols, both of which have been associated with a reduction in blood cholesterol. They also contain polysaccharides, a kind of carbohydrate, which have been shown to positively influence the beneficial bacteria in the gut."
Perceptions of mushrooms are evolving too. Martin Powell, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner and author of 'Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide' (martinpowell.net), has observed that the UK traditionally experienced "mycophobia"a fear or deep suspicion of mushrooms, largely due to concerns over potential toxicity.
"As we grow up, we're not encouraged to explore the mushrooms in the forest, unlike in Central Europe or the Far East where it's part of their culture," he noted. "In fact, it's quite the opposite."
However, the situation is now changing with a range of mushroom varieties available in supermarkets.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community